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Family of Padres' Hinch safe after Okla. tornadoes

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By Corey Brock and Jamal Collier
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MLB.com |

SAN DIEGO -- On Sunday, Becky Hinch was enjoying the sunshine during a visit to San Diego, playing with her two granddaughters, Haley and Kaitlin.

One day later, Hinch, the mother of Padres vice president and assistant general manager A.J. Hinch, was on put on lockdown at her work near Moore, Okla., when a two-mile-wide tornado ripped through the city, killing at least 51 people.

"She texted me and told me she was being locked in a building," Hinch said by phone on Monday from Omaha, Neb., where the Padres' Triple-A Tucson affiliate was playing.

Hinch grew up Midwest City, which is about 15 miles northeast of Moore. While his mother now lives in Oklahoma City, Hinch's sister and her family still live in Midwest City. In fact, his brother-in-law, Robert Wages, actually captured some video of the tornado on his cellular phone.

"My brother-in-law was on the outskirts and took an incredible video of it. You can hear his voice in the video saying, 'Let's get out of here,' " Hinch said.

Hinch's sister, Angie Wages, is a teacher in Midwest City. Many of the victims of the tornado were children, according to reports.

"It hits home for me, the father of two girls," Hinch said. "That's heartbreaking to hear the stories that are coming out of there. I feel sorry for everyone."

Hinch said he grew up heeding the tornado siren living in the center of Tornado Alley.

"This time of year, late spring/early summer, you're never numb to it," Hinch said.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. Jamal Collier is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.